Menetes berdmorer (Blyth, 1849)
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6840226 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6818710 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/064D0660-FFD8-ED25-FFC1-F737F9B9F220 |
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treatment provided by |
Diego |
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scientific name |
Menetes berdmorer |
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Indochinese Ground Squirrel
French: Ecureuil de Berdmore / German: Berdmore-Hoérnchen / Spanish: Ardilla de Berdmore
Taxonomy. Sciurus berdmore: Blyth, 1849 ,
“Thougyeen district”
(Tenasserim, Myan-
mar).
Seven subspecies are recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
M.b.berdmoreiBlyth,1849—EMyanmarEofSalweenRiverandSintopeninsularMyanmarandThailand.
M.b.consularisThomas,1914—SChina(SYunnan)andWThailand.
M.b.decoratusThomas,1914—C&SMyanmar,betweentheIrrawaddyandSalweenrivers.
M.b.moerescensThomas,1914—rangeextentunclearbutknownfromSVietnam.
M.b.mouhoteiGray,1861—EThailand,SLaos,andCambodia.
M.b.peninsularisKloss,1919—PeninsularThailandSoftheIsthmusofKra.
M. b. pyrrocephalus Milne-Edwards, 1867 — range extent unclear but known from S Vietnam. The specimens collected in NW Laos were only identified to species level.
Descriptive notes. Head-body mean 182 mm (males and females), tail mean 138 mm (males) and 133 mm (females); weight mean 176 g (males) and 172 g (females). Dorsum of the Indochinese Ground Squirrel varies from tawny agouti to brownish agouti, with two whitish lateral lines, and a variable number of dark or black lines, on each side of body. Number of dark lines varies from none, in individuals found in some dry forests, to three lateral lines and a mid-dorsal line, in individuals inhabiting the wettest forests. Venter varies from yellowish to whitish. Nominate subspecies berdmore: has lateral black stripes, but usually lacks mid-dorsal stripe. Subspecies consularis has a yellowish white venter and only one black line on each side, between the lateral white stripes, but this line can be seasonally absent. Pelage of decoratus has an olive
color background with very prominent mid-dorsal and lateral black stripes. Subspecies moerescens has a very similar coloration to decoratus, but with less contrast and an olive brown background. Subspecies mouhotei has a grizzled gray-brown dorsum, with only one lateral black line between the white stripes; venteris white. Subspecies peninsularis has very prominent black stripes. Subspecies pyrrocephalus has brown dorsum tinted with black, a discrete mid dorsalstripe, which fades out completely over shoulders and toward tail, and a lateral dusky brown stripe bordered above and below by yellowish white stripes. Chromosome numberis 2n = 62; FN = 76.
Habitat. Savanna and forest habitats, most usually in scrublands and dry forests. Although uncommon, the Indochinese Ground Squirrel can also be found in dense forests.
Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Indochinese Ground Squirrel is known to consume wild banana (Musa acuminate, Musaceae).
Breeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but female Indochinese Ground Squirrels have three pairs of teats.
Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Indochine Ground Squirrelis diurnal.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Indochinese Ground Squirrelis widespread and extremely abundant in suitable habitat. It tolerates habitat degradation and is only locally threatened by total habitat conversion due to agriculture.
Bibliography. Cao Van Sung et al. (1986), Lunde & Nguyen Truong Son (2001), Mackenzie (1929), Murphy & Phan Duy Thuc (2002), Nadler & Hoffman (1970), Thorington et al. (2012), Van Peenen etal. (1970), Walston & Duckworth (2008).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
